Adjustable weight ball for bowling



May 4, 1965 v A. A. RoLKE v 3,181,864

ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT BALL FOR BOWLING Filed oct 31, 1962 v2 sheets-sneu 1 Il Y JN VFJV TOR. ALBERT( A. RoLKE Tmp/m? A. A. ROLKE ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT BALL FOR BOWLING May 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed om.. :51, 1962 INVENTOR ALBERT A. ROLKE ATTOENEY United States Patent O 3,181,864 ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT BALL FOR BOWLING Albert A. Rolke, 2764 Creston Ave., Bronx, N.Y. Filed Oct. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 234,453 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-63) This invention relates to a ball construction especially intended for use in bowling, but also useful in other games and sports and in allied iields. The invention is particularly directed at a ball having two separable hollow parts in which are removably disposed nested, abutted, balanced hemispherical weights.

According to the invention the weights can be selectively removed for varying the weight and mass of the ball. The outer parts of the ball are held together by detachably engaged threaded rods or a nut and bolt which pass axially through the weights in the ball. Special tools are provided for detaching the rods and for removing selected weights from the separated parts of the ball.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a ball useful in bowling or the like, having separable hemispherical parts in which are removable balanced weights.

A further object is to provide a novel hemispherical weight for a bowling ball.

Another object is to provide bowling ball weights with novel means for removing the same from separated parts of the ball.

Still another object is to provide a bowling ball with means for selectively varying its weight and mass according to the requirements of a particular player or particular game.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bowling ball embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is another side elevational view of the ball rotated 90 from FIG. 1, and taken on line 2-2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, one inner hemispherical weight being removed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective View of parts of the bowling ball embodying the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective View of a fastening tool.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a weight removing tool.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a spherical ball 10 having two separable hemispherical parts 12a and 12b. Part 12a as shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a hollow hemispherical shell having an outer convex side 14, an inner concave side 16 and a dat annular diametral face 20. A cylindrical sleeve or ridge 23 extends axially outward from face 20. Ridge 23 has a flat outer annular face 18 `and a cylindrical inner wall 22. Face 18 is disposed in a plane spaced from and parallel to the plane of face 20. Wall 22 may be slightly tapered outwardly from the face 20 to face 18. A metal tube 24 with lateral solid lugs 25 is cast in the body of part 12a, projecting inwardly therefrom. A recess 26 is formed in the body outwardly of and in alignment with the tube. A group of holes 32 extend substantially radially inward of the part 12a from outer side 14 toward inner side 16. These holes serve as linger gripping means when the ball is in use.

3,181,864 Patented May 4, 1965 "ice Part 12o as shown in FIGS. 2-5 is also a hollow hernispherical shell with outer convex side 34, inner concave side 36, and a at annular diametral face 42 extending radially outward from side 36. An annular recess 40 has a cylindrical wall 44 and a radial face 38 concentric therewith. Ridge 23 ts snugly around wall 44 so that the dat annular face 18 yof the ridge 23 abuts wall 38 of the recess 40, and the cylindrical outer wall 44 abuts inner wall 22. The wall 44 may be tapered radially inwardly slightly to eiect a smooth readily detachable joint with wall 22 which may also be tapered as mentioned above.

An internally threaded tubular member 46 with one end closed is cast into the shell of part 12b and is provided with lateral solid lugs 48 to keep it from turning. Tube 24 and tubular member 46 are in alignment.

A hemispherical hollow Weight 60a seats snugly in the ball part 12a. Weight 60a has a convex oute-r side 62a, a concave inner side 64a, and a at annular diametral face 66a. Side 62a abuts inner side 16 of part 12a while face 66a is disposed coplanar with face 20. Weight 60a has an axial hole 68a registering with recess 26 so that the tube 24 passes therethrough. Four circumferentially spaced recesses or holes 7 0 are formed inside of the weight 60a. These holes extend radially outward of inner side 64a and are spaced slightly from face 66a. Holes 70 are provided for engagement by a tool 75 shown in FIG. 7 and used to remove weights from the ball parts 12', 12b.

A hemispherical hollow weight 72a seats snugly in the weight 60a. Weight 72a has a convex outer side 74a which abuts inner side 64EL of weight 60a, and a concave inner side 76a. The weight has a flat annular face 78a which is coplanar with face 66a, kand a central axial hole 80JL registering with hole 682L to receive tube 24. Four cir cumferentially spaced recesses or holes 70' are formed inside of weight 72a and like holes 70, are provided for engagement by tool 75 to remove the weight from inside of weight 60a.

A hemispherical solid Weight 82 seats snugly in weight 72a. Weight 82 has a convex outer side 84' which abuts inner side 76a of weight 728L and a flat, circular, diametral face 86a which abuts a similar face 86b of a similar hemispherical solid weight 82h. Weight 82 has a central bore 88EL which receives the tube 24. The bore registers with hole 80a in weight 72a. Four radial, spaced holes 98a are formed at the inner end of hole 88a near face 868L for engagement by tool 75 to remove the weight from the interior of weight 729'.

A hemispherical Weight 60b similar to weight 602L in construction ts snugly inside part 12b and the outer convex side 62b abuts concave inner side 36 of part 12b. The fiat annular face 66h of weight 6db abuts, face 66a of weight 66a. Hole 68b in weight 60h is aligned with hole 68a in weight 69a and receives the tube 24. The hole 68b registers with tube 46 in part 12b. Spaced holes 708L lare provided in the inner side of weight 60b arranged like j holes 70 in weight 60a. l

A hemispherical hollow weight 72b seats snugly in weight 60". Its outer convex side 74b abuts inner concave side 64b of weight 60h. The iiat annular face 78b of weight 72b abuts flat face 78a of weight 72a. Central axial hole 88h is aligned with hole 80a .and registers with hole 68b to receive tube 24. Spaced holes 74b are ar ranged like holes 7G to engage tool 75, for removal of the weight from weight 60h.

The hemispherical solid weight 82b has a central axial bore 88b which registers with bore 88a in weight 82. Circumferentially spaced radial holes 84a `are provided in weight 82 near the iiat face 86a, for engagement by tool 75.

The hemispherical weights 60a, 72a and 82 nest one within the other and all are contained inside ball part -spaced holes 70, 701i.

agences 12a. Weights 66D, '72b and S2b nest within each other and all are contained in bail part 12b. The weights are arranged in pairs. Weights eti@ and itil are identical in structure, size and weight. Weights 72e, 72b are identical in structure, size and weight and weights S2, 82'@ are identical in structure, size and weight. if desired, ail weights may bc the same and may be made of the same or different metal, plastic or other suitable materials. In any case the weights in each pair should be the same and may be interchanged with each other in the several ball parts 12a, 12b.

An elongated round externally screw threaded rod 59 is threaded through the aligned tube 24 and tubular member 46 so as to removably connect the ball parts 12a and 12'. The rod has a noncircular reduced head 52.

A Spanner wrench lil@ shown in FIG. 6 is provided for securing the ball parts together. This wrench has a shaft 102 with a noncircular socket opening 104 to fit over reduced noncircular head 52 of connecting rod Sli. The wrench has a handle 196 extending perpendicular to the shaft at the other end thereof to facilitate turning the Wrench. When the wrench is engaged with the head of rod 50 and is turned, the rod will turn to connect or disconnect the ball parts.

In FIG. 7 is shown tool 75. This tool has a generally V-shaped body formed from a strip of spring steel, springy plastic or other material. The tool has two ilat legs llt), 111 haring outwardly from the apex M2 of the tool. At the free ends of the legs are two prongs 114 which respectively engage in diametraliy opposed holes 70, '798, 7%', 74D, 932, 84a in any of the hemispherical Weights. The legs are biased outwardly due to the springiness of the tooi body and are normally spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing of the most widely To` engage in holes 7d', 74h the legs must be pressed manually inward toward each other. To engage in opposingy holes @da or 8411 the legs must be compressed even further. When the legs are released, the spring tension at apex 112 will force the prongs into the opposing holes in the hemispherical weight to be removed from the ball or inserted therein. A supplementary, arcuate, leaf spring HS is secured to intermeciate points of legs H9, 111 by rivets 116 and increases the outward spring bias of the legs llt).

To adjust the weight of the ball, two, four or six weights will be removed or inserted from the ball parts. The weights must be removed in pairs to keep the remaining parts of the bail assembly in balance. If it is found desirable to balance the weight of the assembled ball parts with respect to the diameters taken through each of the nger holes 32 in ball part 12E, then another group of similar finger holes 32' may be provided in ball part 12b located between member 46 and recess 40. Each one of holes 32' will be diametrically aligned with a corresponding one of holes 32, when the ball parte are intertted and secured together.

In order to insure proper alignment of the finger holes in the two ball parts, index marks M, M' may be provided on the outer sides of the respective ball parts. When these marks line up as indicated in FIG. 2, then the holes 32 are correctly aligned with holes 32'.

The invent-ion has been described with particular reference to a bowling ball, but it will be apparent that it is applicable to any ball structure where a balanced ball of adjustable weight and mass is required. While the invention is particularly applicable to balls used in playing various games, `it is also applicable to balls used in weight lifting, shot putting, and the like, It .is also applicable to balls used in other applications than sports and games. The weights, can, of course, have any desired magnitudes. in one practical embodiment a bowling ball was constructed with an outside diameter of about eight and one-half inches. The individual weights were about one pound each. The ball can, of course, be made in other sizes.

While l have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope ot the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A bowling hall construction of the character described comprising a pair of similar hemispherical body parts each of which is provided with a concentric hemispherical cavity, interlocking means between the opposed faces of said parts, one of said parts having an axial bore extending through the wall thereof, a tube secured in said bore with the inner end thereof extending in the cavity in the said one of said parts, the other of said parts having an internaily threaded tube secured therein in axial alignment with said tube with the inner end thereof extending into the cavity in the said other of said parts; a first pair of similar hemispherical weights each of which is provided with a concentric hemispher-ical cavity, one of said weights being nested in each of said body parts with the outer surfaces thereof abutting the inner surfaces of said body parts; a second pair of similar hemispherical weights each of which is provided with a concentric hemispherical cavity, one of said second pair of weights being nested in each of said first pair of weights with the outer surfaces thereof abutting the inner surfaces of said first pair ot weights; a pair ot similar heinispherical flat-faced solid weights, one of said solid weights being nested in each of said second pair of weights with the outer surfaces thereof abutting lthe inner surfaces of said second pair ci weights; said weights having axially aligned bores therein into which the inner ends of said tubes extend, and an externally screw-threaded rod disposed in said aligned tubes for removably holding said body parts to- -ether. said rod being provided with a reduced noncircuylar end for the reception of a turning tool, and said weights being selectively removable for adjusting the weight of said ball.

2. A bowling bali construction as delined by' claim 1 in which said weights are provided with radial holes which are adapted to receive a tool for removal thereof.

References Cited by. the Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BOWLING BALL CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A PAIR OF SIMILAR HEMISPHERICAL BODY PARTS EACH OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH A CONCENTRIC HEMISPHERICAL CAVITY, INTERLOCKING MEANS BETWEEN THE OPPOSED FACES OF SAID PARTS, ONE OF SAID PARTS HAVING AN AXIAL BORE EXTENDING THROUGH THE WALL THEREOF, A TUBE SECURED IN SAID BORE WITH THE INNER END THEREOF EXTENDING IN THE CAVITY IN THE SAID ONE OF SAID PARTS, THE OTHER OF SAID PARTS HAVING AN INTERNALLY THREADED TUBE SECURED THEREIN IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID TUBE WITH THE INNER END THEREOF EXTENDING INTO THE CAVITY IN THE SAID OTHER OF SAID PARTS; A FIRST PAIR OF SIMILAR HEMISPHERICAL WEIGHTS EACH OR WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH A CONCENTRIC HEMISPHERICAL CAVITY, ONE OF SAID WEIGTHS BEING NESTED IN EACH OF SAID BODY PARTS WITH THE OTHER SURFACES THEREOF ABUTTING THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID BODY PARTS; A SECOND PAIR OF SIMIALR HEMISPHERICAL WEIGHTS EACH OF WHICH IS PROVIDED WITH A CONCENTRIC HEMISPHERICAL CAVITY, ONE OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF WEIGHTS BEING NESTED IN EACH OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF WEIGHTS WITH THE OUTER SURFACES THEREOF ABUTTING THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID FIRST PAIR OF WEIGHTS; A PAIR OF SIMILAR HEMISPHERICAL FLAT-FACED SOLID WEIGHTS, ONE OF SAID SOLID WEIGHTS BEING NESTED IN EACH OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF WEIGHTS WITH THE OUTER SURFACAES THEREOF ABUTTING THE INNER SURFACES OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF WEIGHTS; SAID WEIGHTS HAVING AXIALLY ALIGNED BORES THEREIN INTO WHICH THE INNER ENDS OF SAID TUBES EXTEND, AND AN EXTERNALLY SCREW-THREADED ROD DISPOSED IN SAID ALIGNED TUBES FOR REMOVABLY HOLDING SAID BODY PARTS TOGETHER, SAID ROD BEING PROVIDED WITH A REDUCED NONCIRCULAR END FOR THE RECEPTION OF A TURNING TOOL, AND SAID WEIGHT BEING SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE FOR ADJUSTING THE WEIGHT OF SAID BALL. 